Lithuanian govt to consider early release possibilities for life prisoners

Lithuania's government will consider a proposal to define cases when people serving life prison sentences might be released. This way the country would implement the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights.

Proposed amendments drafted by the Ministry of Justice state that a person sentenced to life imprisonment would be able to ask for early release after serving at least 20 years. And such a request would be considered by a regional court.

If the court decided to replace life imprisonment with a terminated prison sentence, it would no shorter than 5 years and longer then ten years from the day of the court ruling coming into force. And the convict could be released on parole when serving the 5-10 year sentence.

If a regional court rejected a request by life prisoner, it might be appealed with the Court of Appeals.

The decision-making process related to the release of a life prisoner might also involve victims and their representatives.